Let’s look for allies, let’s say loudly that we need to notify the police, let’s share the responsibilities, says psychologist Dorota Minta, explaining what to do when we witness violence. As he emphasizes, we should react and at the same time take care of our safety.
March 1 in one of Warsaw hospitals 25-year-old Liza died, the victim of a brutal rape that took place a few days earlier. Naked, unconscious woman, without “vital functions”, she was found on the stairs building at 47 Żurawia Street in Warsaw. On Wednesday, he walked through the streets of the capital march against violenceand dozens of entries appeared on social media with appeals not to turn a blind eye to aggressive behavior.
Have you witnessed violence? This is something to remember
What to do when we witness violence? In an interview with tvn24.pl, psychologist Dorota Minta draws attention to two things that we should remember: – You have to react and you have to take care of your own safety. We must take care of our own safety first. When we witness violence, let’s walk away, call, send a message – he advises.
– Let’s look for allies among witnesses, let’s say loudly that we need to notify the police, let’s share responsibilities – he adds. As the psychologist notes, we often do not react when there are more people around us. – When we are one of the witnesses in a crowd, a group of people, we ask ourselves: why me, maybe someone else will call? – explains Minta. – It is very important that in situations where someone falls victim to violence, we are often afraid of what will happen after we react: an attack from the perpetrator, testimony, possible revenge – he adds. I emphasize that we can report anonymously.
Junior inspector Małgorzata Sokołowska, a policewoman with 19 years of experience, author of the website “From a policewoman’s diary”, in an interview with tvnwarszawa.pl after the death of 25-year-old Liza, said that the most important rule is to the reaction was appropriate to the situation: you should not attack an armed attacker. – Sometimes the life of another person can be saved by calling 112 or a simple scream, which will distract the perpetrator or scare him and give the victim a chance to escape – the policewoman noted.
Victims of violence have their mark. It’s a hand clenching into a fistFakty TVN
SMS in crisis situations
– We lack education and messages in public space. Many people do not know that in Warsaw public transport, but not only, there is a number to which we can send an SMS in case of an emergency. Its content allows you to indicate where a given tram or bus is so that help can arrive – explains psychologist Dorota Minta.
On the website of the Municipal Contact Center in Warsaw there is an instruction: “Just send a message saying HELP to the number 723 986 112 (…) In response, you will receive a template to complete. Enter the vehicle side number, line number, direction of travel, place of the incident (e.g. name of the stop, street or characteristic building), type of threat and number of perpetrators. Send the completed template to: 723 986 112“.
As the psychologist adds, we should talk to the youngest about the need to react and at the same time remember about our own safety. – We need to talk to children about this and constantly remind them, not only when a tragedy occurs – he emphasizes.
25-year-old Liza is dead. “People don’t react to violence. It’s just like they’re used to it.”Renata Kijowska/Fakty TVN
SEE ALSO: “He didn’t seem like an aggressive man.” He brutally attacked 25-year-old Liza on the street
Main photo source: Fakty TVN